FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Nov. 27, 2019) -- A Thanksgiving meal was served to the Lawton-Fort Sill community Nov. 27, by culinary specialists, and leaders from the 75th Field Artillery Brigade and 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade at the Guns and Rockets Dining Facility.
This is the biggest meal of the year for culinary specialists whether at garrisons stateside or at forward operating bases, said Sgt. 1st Class Francisco Delgado, Guns and Rockets DFAC manager. It takes weeks of planning.
About 700 people were expected for the meal which was served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at a cost of $9.10 for civilians, Delgado said.
"A team of 12 to 15 Soldiers were up all night prepping and cooking turkey, ham, and everything else for Thanksgiving," he said. The Soldiers were from 553rd Quartermaster Company.
Staff Sgt. Anthony Barnes, Guns and Rockets DFAC assistant manager, said a lot of food was prepared, including 24 whole smoked turkeys, plus 295 pounds of roasted turkey, 300 pounds of ham, king crab legs, specialty desserts, and much more.
The DFAC was filled with Thanksgiving themed culinary displays, and music was provided by the 77th Army Band to enhance the dining experience. Members of the brigades' Soldier and Family Readiness Groups also decorated the dining areas.
Service members, including international students and liaisons, and civilians sat together for a shared experience, Barnes said.
"It allows our Soldiers to interact with retirees and hear what they went through," Barnes said.
Col. Ryan McCormack, 75th FA Brigade commander, was one of the leaders who worked the food line serving junior Soldiers as part of a long-standing Army Thanksgiving tradition.
"Thanksgiving is a great opportunity for our Soldiers, families, and civilians to get together and appreciate each other … and say 'thank you,'" he said.
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